Neighborhood of the week: Chartiers (Pittsburgh, Washington: crime rates, houses, buy)

[eschaton]

Chartiers is a small suburban neighborhood located in the Greater West End. It is sometimes termed Chartiers City, which is a bit of a confusing moniker, considering there are no boroughs or townships with the name Chartiers within Allegheny County to confuse it with. There is, however, a Chartiers school district in the South Hills, and a Chartiers Township in Washington County, which is perhaps why the appellation of city was added.

Chartiers is a very compact little neighborhood, with only 477 people as of 2010. Unsurprisingly, the neighborhood is strung out along a stretch of Chartiers Avenue. Although it's considered by the city to be a separate neighborhood from Windgap, it shares a common road pattern with the northern half of that neighborhood, so that to any person investigating the area, they would appear to be one neighborhood. Indeed, both the Chartiers Playground and the Chartiers Early Childhood Center are actually within Windgap. Most of the housing stock in Chartiers is mid-20th century styles like ranches and split levels, although some streets have a fair number of early 20th century frame houses as well. There is no commercial activity within the neighborhood, although there are a few churches.

What makes Chartiers most distinctive is that it's a stable black middle class neighborhood within city limits (In 2010 the neighborhood was 68% black). The reasons for this are unclear to me, but the neighborhood attained its current racial balance by 1980 and has not had any further white flight since then. It's 90% homeowner occupied, is wealthier than the city as a whole, and only has a small number of abandoned houses. Local crime rates are very low as well. Hopefully it will continue to be in its present configuration for years to come.

[RogersParkTransplant]

Wow, that sounds really nice. Thank you. I always wonder why I don't hear more about the nicer parts of the west end.

[Pittsburgh-bound]

Hi. Can you tell me is the crime from the other surrounding areas affect Chartiers resident? I am thinking of moving there as it seems to be more affordable than East End.

[xdv8]

Originally Posted by Pittsburgh-bound

Hi. Can you tell me is the crime from the other surrounding areas affect Chartiers resident? I am thinking of moving there as it seems to be more affordable than East End.

Have you been here before? It is very hard to compare the East End to Chartiers, and there are many solid options in between.

[Pittsburgh-bound]

@xdv8, I have not driven through Chartiers but have Google Earthed it. The area is older and reminds of small suburban areas of New Orleans that I grew up in. Chartiers became a potential because it has diversity that I like, seems "stable" according to reviews, crime maps, etc.

I have been looking extensively at East End for two years trying to find affordable housing near the universities, but the prices kept rocketing up, up beyond my reach. So now I am looking at other possibilities.

[Pittsburgh-bound]

I am going to check out the area this weekend with a realtor. Realtor, by regulations, can't tell me honest answer about area but so I need community feedback.

If I buy anything it will be to live in for another 20-30 years so hopefully it will be happy years without the stress of crime.

Thanks!

[svband76]

Actually, the South Hills school district is called Chartiers Valley, not Chartiers.

Chartiers has the West End Overlook, no? Or it that in the West End? West End is still waiting for a takeoff. James Street Gallery moved there many years ago. Could be a cool area. Close to 279.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by zalewskimm

Actually, the South Hills school district is called Chartiers Valley, not Chartiers.

Chartiers has the West End Overlook, no? Or it that in the West End? West End is still waiting for a takeoff. James Street Gallery moved there many years ago. Could be a cool area. Close to 279.

The West End Overlook is in Elliott.

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by Pittsburgh-bound

@xdv8, I have not driven through Chartiers but have Google Earthed it. The area is older and reminds of small suburban areas of New Orleans that I grew up in. Chartiers became a potential because it has diversity that I like, seems "stable" according to reviews, crime maps, etc.

I have been looking extensively at East End for two years trying to find affordable housing near the universities, but the prices kept rocketing up, up beyond my reach. So now I am looking at other possibilities.

I live in Crafton and have had medical issues that required frequent doctor's appointments at UPMC Presbyterian and Magee. I didn't find the commute to be too difficult. Those hospitals are near the universities. Wanted to give you my experience with commuting from a western neighborhood. You do have to cross the bridge, but there are ways to go around the Fort Pitt tunnel.

[Pittsburgh-bound]

@Goodjules, thanks, very helpful. I hope your health issues are better for you.

I am curious, do you experience the West side/ East side snobbery?